Landscape, Nature And Travel Photography

It’s Monday and I have a confession to make…
I cannot get enough of photographing full moons. Even more special are Blue Moons or Super Moons. Ask a photographer what makes a great image and they’re sure to say “it’s all about the light” and this is true, but as a nature photographer my personal bias is a full moon and any foreground object (with great light of course) makes for a great photo.

Blue Moon Moonrise - Santa Barbara, California

Case in point… a power pole and the moon at the golden hour. Would I have preferred a different foreground object? Sure, but I’ll take what I can get and I have no complaints.

Image Info:
Canon 1Ds Mark III, 600mm, f/13, 1/320 sec at ISO 200

Technorati Tags: photography, full moon, blue moon, Santa Barbara, California, stock photo, stock picture

This Weeks Friday Freebie iPad Wallpaper: Channel Islands Sunset
Friday Freebie features an image to liven up your iPad display with images from my travels… all for free.

California sunsets can be quite amazing. On a recent trip to Santa Barbara, California I was reminded of this with an amazing light show. For 8 years I lived in Santa Barbara and as much as  I hate to admit it I often took them for granted. Taken from campus point at UC Santa Barbara this particular view of the Channel Islands, Santa Cruz Island to be specific, with under-lit clouds really took my breath away. If you enjoyed this photo be sure to check out more of my sunset photos. Thanks for checking in and enjoy this Friday’s Freebie.

Click here to download your free iPad wallpaper. Have a great weekend!

Note: This image is distributed for personal use only and all rights are reserved. If interested in using this photograph commercially please contact me.

Technorati Tags: Photography, nature, landscape, Free, Friday Freebie, iPad, Wallpaper, Santa Barbara, Channel Islands, Abstract

In 2010 I had a great time behind the camera and I was fortunate to have been present for some amazing moments including the  birth of my son (the ultimate experience).  While I’ve ranked my best photos in years past (best photos of 2009, best photos of 2008 and best photos of 2007) this year I’m finding it impossible to do. In fact by doing so I may just end up in the dog house as you’ll soon discover. So in no particular order here are my 10 favorite photos taken in 2010. Enjoy!

Untitled Color Study
Just a photo that resonates with me and my exploration of light and color. This is part of a larger collection of work that I’ll be releasing so stay tuned to see more. Taken at sunset not far from my home.

Untitled Color Study

Foggy Forest
Since moving to San Francisco I’ve embraced the days the fog rolls in while most curse it. I really enjoy seeing how the fog adds atmosphere to a scene whether I’m photographing it or just walking through. Of all things San Francisco, strangely, the fog is what I enjoy most.

Foggy Forest

Golden Gate Bridge Sunrise
The morning I took this photo I drove over 70 miles to catch a unique view of the Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise. Thinking my morning was a bust after being fogged in I returned home to find this view waiting for me. Why did this photo make the top 10 of the year? It’s a rare and nearly impossible view of the south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge enveloped by fog. I say “nearly impossible” not because the bridge was 4 miles away, but because San Francisco is normally under fog when the bridge appears like this.

Golden Gate Bridge Sunrise

Taken with a Canon 1Ds Mark III and Canon 800mm f/5.6

Ion Banner Wipeout at the 2010 Mavericks Surf Contest
As you’d imagine witnessing the huge waves of Mavericks is quite a rush, but nothing compares to what the surfers actually experience.  I’m not sure people realize exactly how athletic these guys are. Most just think of them as crazy, but they’re incredibly fit. Anyhow photographing this event was an incredible experience made easy with a Canon 7D. Having photographed this event in years past with my Canon 1D Mark II I decided to try out the latest and greatest. No complaints.

Ion Banner Wipeout at the 2010 Mavericks Surf Contest

Zen – White Sands National Monument
Exploring the pristine beauty of the dunes with in White Sands National Monument was one of the best experiences of the year. New Mexico has some of the most impressive light in the lower 48 and the white sand mirrors that light in amazing ways. Amazing things happen in White Sands. I look forward to returning again in 2011 (join me on my  White Sands by Moonlight photo tour).

Zen - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Taken with a Canon 1Ds Mark III and Canon 24mm tilt-shift lens

Untitled Color Study
Just a photo that resonates with me and my exploration of light and color. This is part of a larger collection of work that I’ll be releasing so stay tuned to see more. Taken on a trip down the California coast near Santa Barbara.

Untitled Color Study

New Addition to the Family

Being there for the delivery of my son is by far the most amazing experience of my life. Portrait photography has quickly become a regular activity. For the first 6 weeks I made constant use of a Canon 85mm f/1.2 and it paid off with photos like this.

New Addition to the Family

Serenity – White Sands National Monument
I can’t say enough about White Sands National Monument. Standing atop a 60 foot dune and witnessing this scene took my breath away. The dunes are so complex in shape and the randomness at which the light falls across them makes finding exceptional compositions a real challenge. No location challenges my eye like White Sands and I can never get enough of it.

Serenity - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Taken with a Canon 1Ds Mark III and Canon 70-200mm USM IS f/2.8

Lunar Layers
This was a photo that almost never happened. Unpredictably clouds moved in the weekend I was reviewing a Canon 800mm f/5.6 lens, but Mother Nature gave me a 45 second reprieve on this particular evening to compose 3 images of a full moon veiled behind clouds kissed with sunset light. It pays to be patient and prepared. As to what attracted me to this image in my year end review of work… its the abstract nature of it. Even still I see an eye in the sky when I view this photo.

Lunar Layers

Dusk at White Sands National Monument

Some things just have to be experienced and this was one of those moments. No focal length lens or camera sensor could do this scene  justice.

Dusk at White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Taken with a Canon 1Ds Mark III and Canon 70-200mm USM IS f/2.8

Technorati Tags: best photos, best of 2010, photography, pictures, fine art, stock photo, white sands national monument, Mavericks, landscape, nature

The Gulf Coast oil spill has really grabbed my attention as of late. While disturbing on multiple levels (particularly seeing the horrific wildlife photos via Boston.com’s The Big Picture) I grow increasingly concerned that people will start to filter it out and lose their empathy for the devastation that is happening and will continue to happen for years to come.

Last Friday on Twitter I recommended that others follow the sharp witted spoof PR site of @BPGlobalPR who has been very creatively raising awareness to the horrors of this oil spill. The person behind the account, Leroy Stick, has been selling T-Shirts and donating money to @HealthyGulf the twitter account for the Gulf Restoration Network.

If you haven’t already I recommend reading this article about Leroy Stick and his efforts – Leroy Stick – The Man Behind @BPGlobalPR

Also recommended…. sign the following petition:
BP’s Oil Drilling DisasterTell Obama to Federalize the Clean Up

Why? Think criminal activity not politics. Director James Cameron put it best…

“The government really needs to have its own independent ability to go down there and image the site, survey the site and do its own investigation,” he said.

“Because if you’re not monitoring it independently, you’re asking the perpetrator to give you the video of the crime scene,” Cameron added.
-  Director James Cameron says BP turned down help offer via Reuters

Know of other organizations or actions others can do to help in any way or form with the Gulf Oil Spill? Share links and information by adding a comment.

With that being said here are two biting statements made via the bigcaption.com that speak volumes to our own culpability (more after the jump) Read more…

I used to have the opportunity to look out at this view of the Channel Islands, off the coast of Santa Barbara, for 8 years, but seldom took the time to look and take it all in. Whether I was too busy to pause and fully enjoy the view or just took it for granted, it is one of my greatest regrets that I didn’t fully appreciate the beauty just beyond my front door.  This thought really crystalized during my last visit to Santa Barbara when I had the chance to photograph this amazing sunset. Funny how when you’re a visitor your senses are heightened in order to absorb as much of that location as possible, yet when you live in a particular location your senses are seemingly dulled over time contributing to a lack of awareness to the beauty of that place. These days I try to always stay in that “visitor” state of mind to investigate as much as iI can where ever I am.

Technorati Tags: photography, landscape, California, Channel Islands, nature, stock photo

The past several days I’ve been in Santa Barbara where I caught up both with family, as I attended my sister in-laws wedding, and on some long over due photography. It’s embarrassing to admit, but in the 8 years years I lived in Santa Barbara I never photographed the area. If you’ve never been, Santa Barbara is roughly 100 miles north of Los Angeles and is often called the American Riviera. Santa Barbara is among the most beautiful locations in California and is home to one of the most beautiful Spanish missions. I was very fortunate this weekend to not just photograph the mission, but to photograph the mission under a Blue Moon as it was setting. To say the least it was an awe inspiring experience to witness this moment… not to mention the happy union of my sister in-law with her new husband.

Santa Barbara Mission Under A Blue Moon

Technorati Tags: travel, photography, Santa Barbara, California, Santa Barbara Mission, blue moon, moon, stock photo